Australia delivered a dominant performance in the opening T20 match of their series against England in Southampton on Wednesday, securing a 28-run win.
Travis Head played a sensational innings, smashing a 19-ball half-century that included 30 runs from a single over. His aggressive 59, featuring four sixes and eight fours, propelled Australia to a solid 86-0 in 5.5 overs.
Opening partner Matthew Short added two sixes to his 41, but despite a strong start and reaching 118-2 at the halfway mark, Australia was restricted to 179 all out by England’s spinners.
England, who dismissed 10 Australian batsmen for 93 runs, faltered in their chase and were never in contention. With T20 debutants Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Overton, and Phil Salt captaining in place of the injured Jos Buttler, England collapsed to 52-4 on a chilly evening.
Sean Abbott took three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa each claimed two as England was bowled out for 151.
Head initially needed a few overs to acclimate but then launched a barrage of aggressive shots, notably targeting Sam Curran in the fifth over with consecutive fours and a hat-trick of sixes.
Head’s innings ended with a top-edged catch off Saqib Mahmood, but he had already made a major impact.
“I was adjusting to the wicket and playing good shots, while Shorty gave us a strong start,” Head said. “There was a bit of luck, but I’ve worked hard to play with a more liberated mindset.”
After Head’s departure, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh was dismissed for two by Adil Rashid. Despite Short’s aggressive play, Australia’s innings stumbled as he was out in the 11th over to a catch by Curran off Liam Livingstone’s bowling.
Livingstone also removed Marcus Stoinis and Tim David in consecutive deliveries, causing Australia’s innings to collapse from 172-6 to 172-9. Livingstone finished with impressive figures of 3 for 22 from three overs.
In their chase, England lost Will Jacks (6) to Hazlewood in the second over and Cox (17) to a spectacular catch by David off Xavier Bartlett’s bowling.